The Rock’s return to the ring in 2001 would not get off to a good start, according to former WWE Superstar Rhyno.
After ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and Mr. McMahon joined forces at WrestleMania X-Seven, the pair would waste no time in suspending The Rock from TV.
This ‘suspension’ gave The Rock time to film his role for ‘The Mummy Returns’ and on “The Kurt Angle Show,” Rhyno recalled being the Brahma Bull’s first opponent back. He said,
“He was supposed to wrestle with Booker, but Booker had fluid in his knee, and he had to have it drained. So they go, ‘Rhyno, you’re gonna work with Rock.’ And this is his first match back. It was a live event, and my ring cardio was great.
“We were up last, and the match probably went about 10-12 minutes, but The Rock was sucking wind cause of ring condition, but it only took him a couple of weeks because we worked a couple of times throughout that month, and his ring cardio was back.”
The Rock would capture the WCW Championship at that year’s SummerSlam and would leave the WWF to victory over the Alliance at that November’s Survivor Series.
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
The Rock’s Return to the Ring: A Challenging Start
In 2001, The Rock made his highly anticipated return to the wrestling ring. However, according to former WWE Superstar Rhyno, his comeback didn’t get off to a good start. After ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and Mr. McMahon formed an alliance at WrestleMania X-Seven, they wasted no time in suspending The Rock from TV.
This suspension actually worked in The Rock’s favor, as it gave him the opportunity to film his role for the movie ‘The Mummy Returns.’ But when it was time for him to step back into the ring, things didn’t go as planned. Rhyno, who was supposed to face Booker T, ended up being The Rock’s first opponent back.
In an interview on “The Kurt Angle Show,” Rhyno recalled the experience, saying, “He was supposed to wrestle with Booker, but Booker had fluid in his knee, and he had to have it drained. So they go, ‘Rhyno, you’re gonna work with Rock.’ And this is his first match back. It was a live event, and my ring cardio was great.”
Rhyno revealed that The Rock was struggling with his stamina during the match due to his lack of ring conditioning. However, they worked together a few more times throughout the month, and The Rock’s ring cardio quickly improved.
Despite the challenging start, The Rock would go on to achieve great success in his return to the ring. He captured the WCW Championship at that year’s SummerSlam and played a pivotal role in the victory over the Alliance at Survivor Series in November.
The Rock’s dedication and hard work allowed him to overcome the initial hurdles and regain his top form in a short period of time. His ability to adapt and improve his ring cardio showcases his commitment to delivering exceptional performances for the fans.
As fans, we often see the final product of a wrestler’s hard work, but it’s important to remember that behind the scenes, they face numerous challenges and setbacks. The Rock’s story serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars in the industry have to overcome obstacles to achieve greatness.
If you’re a wrestling enthusiast, you can stay up to date with all the latest news and updates on eWrestlingNews.com. Additionally, you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook for more wrestling content.
In conclusion, The Rock’s return to the ring in 2001 faced initial difficulties, but his determination and perseverance allowed him to overcome them. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring wrestlers and fans alike, reminding us that success often comes after overcoming challenges and setbacks.